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Shadow-witch

Ponthieva racemosa

Found in bottomlands, floodplains, moist ravines, nearly always over calcareous rock ('marl' or coquina limestone). Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

8
Modest

Native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
Up to about 2 feet
Light
Partial shade, Full shade
Soil moisture
Moist to wet
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
September to March
Fruiting season
October to April

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 21 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Floodplain and bottomland forests

Forests on low ground beside rivers and streams that flood from time to time.

Moist forests

Forests on moist but not wet ground, such as rich slopes and ravines.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Alabama. Shared habitat, not food. 88 animals.

All wildlife of Alabama

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Orchidaceae
Flower color
White or green
Fruit begins
October
Fruit ends
April

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Hairy Shadow Witch; Shadow Witch

Conservation status

Alabama rankS3
Global rankG5
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

Will it fit your yard?

Check this plant against your county, sun and soil moisture. Conditions are checked in your browser.

Choose a county to begin.

How to check your spot

Sources